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Concern as drug users turning to diazepam

03/09/2008

A new survey has raised concerns over the rise in use of the tranquiliser diazepam by drug users.

The annual Street Drug Trends Survey published by drug information charity DrugScope today showed a worrying rise in the use of the class C drug among class A drug users.

The survey looked at information from 100 drug services, drug action teams and police forces in 20 towns and cities across the UK.

Fifteen out of the 20 reported rising levels of diazepam, better known as Valium, among class A drug users over the past 12 months.

The study found that diazepam is being used as a heroin substitute and used to ease crack cocaine comedowns.

The rise in the use of drug is thought to be due, in part, to an increase in illicit imports of both genuine and counterfeit versions of the drug.

Police seizures of diazepam have increased from 300,000 pills between July 2003 and June 2006 to two million between July 2006 and June 2008.

A reported drop in the availability and quality of street heroin is also suggested as a possible reason for the increase the use of diazepam. Twelve out of the 20 towns and cities surveyed noted a drop in heroin quality, with five recording a shortage of the class A drug on the streets.

Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said: "The rise in the use of illicitly imported diazepam is concerning particularly as drug users face a high risk of overdose when using the drug in combination with other drugs such as methadone and alcohol. With the proliferation of counterfeit diazepam comes unpredictable quality and strength.

"The fact that the survey identified some evidence of increasing diazepam use among young people is also worrying. We know from last year's research that some young people are combining use of alcohol, cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. The addition of diazepam increases risk, including where the drug is mixed with alcohol.

"A heroin shortage might instinctively appear a positive development, especially as it can lead to more people entering treatment, but it can bring its own problems. Users may be more inclined to inject rather than smoke the drug during times of shortage or poor quality. And there is a higher risk of overdose when the heroin market readjusts to more normal levels of supply and quality."